India, July 4 -- Lionel Messi continued his remarkable FIFA World Cup scoring streak on Saturday, finding the net for an unprecedented eighth straight match as Argentina edged past spirited debutants Cape Verde in a dramatic Round of 32 encounter in Miami. The Argentine skipper broke the deadlock in the 29th minute, registering the 20th World Cup goal of his illustrious career. The strike further strengthened his position as the tournament's all-time leading scorer, putting him two goals clear of France star Kylian Mbappe.

Messi's early finish set the tone for a thrilling contest that eventually required extra time, with defending champions Argentina surviving a major scare to seal a hard-fought 3-2 victory.

The 39-year-old has now scor...